ALAN Shearer could finally be named Newcastle United’s permanent manager before the end of the week as the sale of the troubled Championship club starts to gather pace.

Although it could still be a few weeks before a takeover is complete, The Journal has been told this may not prevent Shearer from being appointed if all of the groups serious about buying the club want him as manager. That would effectively take the matter out of Mike Ashley’s hands and the sports shop magnate is willing to belatedly confirm Shearer as manager – as long as it can not do anything to hinder the takeover.

Anyone interested in paying the £100m asking price to take Newcastle off Ashley’s hands has until tomorrow to prove they have the funds needed to go through with the deal.

After that, the due diligence process will start and if Shearer (right) is the unanimous choice of all the prospective new owners, he could be in control of the team before the weekend.

United’s managing director Derek Llambias was back in Newcastle yesterday to prepare for the final days of the Ashley regime on Tyneside, and he is hopeful a significant announcement is not far away.

“There could be some movement regarding Alan Shearer at the end of this week or early next week,” said Llambias, who has been in regular contact with Seymour Pierce, the bank in charge of finding a buyer.

“The data room will be open on Wednesday, which will allow the groups who have proved they have the money to buy the club to look at the books. Nobody has been able to do that yet because the data room hasn’t been opened.

“We will not be making any decision on Alan as manager, that is not up to us, that is down to the groups who are buying the club. If they want to appoint him, then it’s up to them. We will speak to them about it. If they do want Alan then something could be done in the next few days. That’s where we are at this stage and everything is on going.”